MISSION & STRATEGIC PLAN
The USHRAB Strategic Plan guides the Board’s priorities and goals for 2023–2027. It outlines our mission, values, and the actions we will take to strengthen access to Utah’s historical records. Below you’ll find our mission and values, followed by the full plan for review or download.
Mission and Values
Mission
The mission of the Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board is to assist public and private non-profit organizations throughout the state in the preservation of and access to records with enduring historical value, and to foster cooperation among cultural heritage institutions and records repositories throughout Utah in carrying out these activities.
Values
Our core values which guide this mission are:
Access: We recognize that public access to information is vital, so that knowledge can be gained and shared and the heritage and history of the state maintained.
Cooperation: We recognize the need for Utah’s cultural heritage institutions and records repositories to cooperate and learn from each other in order to accomplish more than they could acting alone, and support activities that enhance cooperative networks.
Empowerment: We recognize the importance of cultural heritage institutions and records repositories connecting with, and empowering, Utah’s citizens to take responsibility for the preservation and use of the records that inform their rights and shared history.
Preservation: We recognize the importance of preserving records of enduring historical value.
Diversity: We will work to preserve records which represent the diverse experiences of all Utahns.
Strategic Plan (2023-2027)
UTAH STATE HISTORICAL RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD
USHRAB Coordinator
Jim Kichas – Utah State Archives and Records Service, Salt Lake City
USHRAB Board Members
Kathleen Broeder – Special Collections Librarian, Southern Utah University
Alice Faulkner Burch – Director of Special Events, Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation
Dr. Nichelle Frank – Assistant Professor, History Department, Utah State University Eastern
Marety Hill – Clerk, Uintah County Regional History Center
Emily Johnson – Field Services Manager, Utah Division of Arts & Museums
Darcy Pumphrey –Digital Assets Librarian, USU Libraries, Logan
Becky Wright – Archive Specialist, Davis County
USHRAB Executive Secretary
Genesie Miller – Utah State Archives and Records Service, Salt Lake City
USHRAB Contact Information
Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board
c/o Genesie Miller, Utah State Archives and Records Service
346 South Rio Grande
SLC, UT 84101
(801) 531-3845
genesiemiller@utah.gov
https://archives.utah.gov/USHRAB/index.html
USHRAB activities are supported by a funding grant from the National Publications and Records
Commission (NHPRC)
WHAT IS THE UTAH STATE HISTORICAL RECORDS ADVISORY
BOARD?
The Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board (USHRAB) was created in 1978 under authorization of Federal Code 36 CFR 1206.41. With oversight from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), each state and territory is authorized to administer a Historical Records Advisory Board that is responsible for reviewing grant proposals submitted to the NHPRC from organizations in their states.
State Historical Records Advisory Boards (SHRABs) also undertake statewide planning for historical records. Today, the USHRAB serves as the central advisory body for historical records planning and for NHPRC-funded projects developed and carried out within the state. The USHRAB also serves as a coordinating body to facilitate cooperation among historical records repositories and other
information agencies within the state. Finally, the USHRAB acts as a state-level review body for proposals as defined in the NHPRC’s grant program guidelines.
The membership of the USHRAB consists of at least seven members, including the State Historical Records Coordinator who chairs the Board. Members have recognized experience in the administration of government records, historical records, and archives. The USHRAB is broadly representative of public and private archives, and research institutions in Utah, and Board members are appointed by the Governor to three year terms with the possibility of renewal. Terms are staggered so that one-third of Board terms expire each year. The USHRAB meets at least three times annually, in open public meetings, and all actions taken by the Board are voted on and passed by majority vote.
State Historical Records Advisory Boards (SHRABs) also undertake statewide planning for historical records. Today, the USHRAB serves as the central advisory body for historical records planning and for NHPRC-funded projects developed and carried out within the state. The USHRAB also serves as a coordinating body to facilitate cooperation among historical records repositories and other
information agencies within the state. Finally, the USHRAB acts as a state-level review body for proposals as defined in the NHPRC’s grant program guidelines.
THE MISSION OF THE USHRAB
The mission of the USHRAB is to assist Utah’s public and private non-profit organizations in preserving and providing access to their historic records, as well as fostering cooperation and community among the diverse cultural heritage institutions and records repositories across the state.
THE VALUES OF THE USHRAB
the following values are the foundation upon which the USHRAB’s goals and activities rest:
ACCESS
The USHRAB recognizes that public access to information is vital, so that knowledge can be gained and shared and the heritage and history of the state maintained.
PRESERVATION
The USHRAB recognizes the importance of preserving records of enduring historical value.
COLLABORATION
The USHRAB recognizes the value of Utah’s cultural heritage institutions and records repositories collaborating and learning from each other in order to accomplish more than they could acting alone,
and supports activities that enhance cooperative networks.
EMPOWERMENT
The USHRAB recognizes the importance of cultural heritage institutions and records repositories connecting with and empowering Utah’s citizens to take responsibility for the preservation and use of the records that inform our rights and shared history.
DIVERSITY
The USHRAB works to preserve records that represent the diverse experiences of all Utahns.
THE STRATEGIC GOALS OF THE USHRAB
GOAL 1: Expand public discovery and use of Utah’s historical records
Strategy: The USHRAB will support projects that make records accessible while ensuring their long-term preservation.
Objectives:
- Support projects that promote the use of public records
- Support projects that make records more accessible, including providing digital access when possible
- Support projects that improve the preservation of records
Activities:
- Maintain a re-grant program to increase preservation and access to Utah’s historical records
- Encourage cultural heritage institutions and records repositories to apply for NHPRC grants, and other public and private funding, to foster records preservation and access activities
- Assess the training needs of records repositories in the state and work to improve training opportunities and resources
- Provide guidance that encourages records repositories to deposit historical documentary materials in the appropriate repository, to help promote their availability and enhance overall access and use of those materials
GOAL 2: Foster a greater diversity of voices in telling the Utah
story through historical record collections
Strategy: The USHRAB will work to preserve records that represent the diverse experiences of all Utahns and will encourage diversity in professions working with historical records.
Objectives:
- Encourage small and underserved communities to apply for available USHRAB grants
- Promote the fields of archives and records management
- Encourage a more diverse pool of applicants in archives and records management positions
Activities:
- Encourage small and underserved communities to apply for records preservation grants
- Identify opportunities to connect with members of small and underserved communities to share information about professions related to archives and records management
- Connect students, including those in small and underserved communities, with archives and records management professional development opportunities
GOAL 3: Connect the USHRAB with Utah’s libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural heritage organizations
Strategy: The USHRAB will support the cooperative networks of Utah’s cultural heritage institutions and records repositories by: encouraging communication; providing training and quality standards; promoting professional service and development; and encouraging disaster prevention and recovery preparedness.
Objectives:
- Seek out partnerships between Utah’s cultural heritage institutions and records repositories
- Promote regular communication between the USHRAB, the State Archives, and Utah’s cultural heritage institutions and records repositories
- Promote participation in training and professional development opportunities
- Raise awareness about disaster recovery preparedness
- Promote professional standards and guidelines
Activities:
- Maintain a contact list of cultural heritage organizations and records repositories across Utah to communicate about USHRAB grant opportunities, training, and other relevant information
- Maintain an online resource of professional guidelines, standards, and contacts who are available to assist institutions with training and projects
- Participate with allied organizations to encourage communication, training, and professional development for archivists and record keepers throughout Utah
GOAL 4: Engage the people of Utah in preserving and publishing the historical record collections that tell the Utah Story
Strategy: The USHRAB will promote public awareness of archives and archival records and encourage their use.
Objectives:
- Plan and promote public events that encourage the use and sharing of archives and archival records among individuals and communities
- Increase student awareness of primary sources and their value
- Promote participation in training and professional development opportunities
Activities:
- Develop programming and resources that educate the public on the value and use of historic records
- Use social media to share examples of how the use of archival records can benefit the public
- Share best practices, tools, and methods to enhance the use of archival records
- Coordinate and promote Utah Archives Month